Operation Renew

Background

The former Soviet Union is the home of millions of Jews, only a small number of whom are involved in any form of Jewish religious or communal life. For the time being, it appears that the vast majority of them will remain in the former Soviet Union. It is critical for the health and well-being of world Jewry that the Jews who remain in the former Soviet Union - the second largest Jewish community in the Diaspora - be reintegrated into the world Jewish community.

To date, the World Union for Progressive Judaism has established some forty congregations, many with religious schools, in the former Soviet Union. The response to these efforts has demonstrated that a significant percentage of Jews of the former Soviet Union will associate themselves with the Progressive movement if given the opportunity. To provide that opportunity and support renewal of Jewish life in the former Soviet Union, the North American Board of the World Union for Progressive Judaism has undertaken "Operation Renew."

Through "Operation Renew" North American congregations and their members will have a unique opportunity to make themselves a part of the drama of renewing Jewish life in the former Soviet Union by sponsoring congregations, schools, camps, training programs, student scholarships, prayer books and other publications for the Jews of the former Soviet Union. By participating in "Operation Renew," congregations can join in the epic struggle to bring Jews back into the world Jewish community and advance the mission of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, as set forth in its mission statement, to "foster the development of Liberal Judaism world-wide under the auspices of the World Union for Progressive Judaism."

THEREFORE, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations resolves to call upon its congregations and their members to become involved in the effort to renew Jewish life in the former Soviet Union by participating in "Operation Renew."